[Harp-L] Quick review of HarpGear.com harp amplifier

[dennis moriarty <dmoriarty@xxxxxxxxxx>]

       Hi.   I recently got tired of half as-ed amplifiers and  
decided to research harp-l for a small champ-like amp that wouldn't  
cost me a disproportionate fortune.   Over the years I had spent a  
small fortune on compensatory devices, e.g., tone pedals, analog  
delays, digital delays, etc. to try to emulate the bark and soul that  
for me only comes from a well constructed tube amp.   I came across  
the "HarpGear. com" champ-like amp created by Brian Purdy through  
some harp-l research.   Well: relative to other amps the price was  
right. And it was the size I wanted. So I contacted Brian. From a  
consumer standpoint this guy personifies affability and  
responsiveness. My information seeking e-mails were quickly responded  
to. The "Iceman" gave it a good review. Dennis G., Jason R., and  
Michael P. sounded good on the website clips (of course they would  
sound good playing through an am transistor radio) and the amp sure  
looked good (new yorkers are afflicted with this vanity thing) so  
through the generosity of my best friend who wanted to get me a  
generous x-mas present and loves my playing I got my amp. All through  
the purchase communication Brian was dialogic offering me a choice of  
speakers, listening to a couple of my sound clips, making  
suggestions. and post purchase Brian has remained the same. The amp  
has a deep resonance with lots of bass response and is loud with  
practically no feedback. I add a digital delay rack piece or a  
digiverb reverb pedal and it is nivana. The amp has mucho sensitivity  
to the particular microphone that I am using and a unambiguously  
closed grip around a bullet mike really increases the bassy tone.  
Even a finger released produces a discernible change in resonance.    
For me the beautiful (I believe late forties) brown shure bullet I  
had been using on my last amp sounds too tame with this one so I have  
switched to the acstatic-like mike that Rod Piazza sold me which is  
hotter. I am also experimenting with different preamp tubes even  
though I am wholly satisfied with the current configuration. This  
experimentation I am doing with Brian's guidance.      Anyway I'm not  
a technician just a harp player that has wanted a "real" amp for  
about 25 years and woke up to this one for x-mas.  I have no  
affiliation with HarpGear or Brian. I just feel it's my  
responsibility to acknowledge talent and generosity.    dennis moriarty